"On gaining the churchyard, Guy Fawkes perceived the warden and his companion creeping stealthily beneath the warden and his companion creeping stealthily beneath the shadow of a wall in the direction of a low fabric, which appeared to be a bone-house, or charnel, situated  at the north-western extremity of the church.  Before this building grew a black and stunted yew-tree.  Arrived at it, they paused and looked round to see whether they were now observed.  They did not, however, notice Guy Fawkes, who had concealed himself behind a buttress.  Kelley then unlocked the door of the charnel, and brought out a pickaxe and mattock.  Having divested himself of his cloak, he proceeded to shovel out the mould from a new made grave at a little distance from the building.  Doctor Dee stood by, and held the lantern for his assistant.

Determined to watch their proceedings, Guy Fawkes crept towards the yew-tree, behind which he ensconced himself.  Kelley, meanwhile, continued to ply his spade with a vigour that seemed almost incomprehensible in one so far stricken in years, and of such infirm appearance.  At length he paused, and kneeling within the shallow grave, endeavoured to drag something from it.  Doctor Dee knelt to assist him.  After some exertion, they drew forth the corpse of a female, which had been interred without coffin, and apparently in the habiliments worn during life.  A horrible suspicion crossed Guy Fawkes.  Resolving to satisfy his doubts at once, he rushed forward, and beheld in the ghastly lineaments of the dead the features of the unfortunate prophetess, Elizabeth Orton."- p.59

Ainsworht's sub-plot has brought in many characters of the period, however, their actions do not conform to the truth of known history. This has become a source of great confusion for scholars who have at times started their work by taking Ainsworth's account as Gospel.

The engravings, on steel, by George Cruikshank for Ainsworth's novel illustrate the style of the modern image of the plot quite well. Select your favorite scene from the table below.

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